Plan Ahead to Avoid Complications
Nobody likes being completely cut off from friends and family when travelling to a new country. If you're planning a trip to India, having a local SIM card can make many things easier, like booking trains or ordering food online. To do this, bring an unlocked phone from home or buy one when you get there. Once you arrive, you can get a local pay-as-you-go SIM at any phone shop. Remember to bring passport photos and photocopies of your passport ID pages to sign up for the SIM card.
India can get really crowded from November to February because of the cooler weather, so try to book your stay in advance. You can reserve rooms directly with hotels or use websites like Agoda and MakeMyTrip to find good deals. The same goes for train tickets, especially on popular routes. It's easier to book these online through sites like IRCTC, 12Go, or Cleartrip before you go.
Remember that India follows the standard Gregorian calendar for official holiday dates. However, religious festivals are based on the lunar calendar, so their dates change every year. Make sure to check the dates for any festivals during your visit. The Indian government has a handy online list of public holidays that can help you plan your trip.
Be Mindful of Local Customs
People commonly speak English in most major Indian cities, so you can easily get by with simple greetings like "hello," "goodbye," and "thank you", even in smaller towns. However, if you're travelling in the northern part of India, try to greet people with "namaste" (which means "I bow to you") while putting your hands together in front of your chest like you're praying.
When you meet Muslim people in north India, you can say "salaam alaikum" (which means "peace be with you"), and they usually reply with "alaikum salaam." People appreciate it when you try to speak their language, even if your pronunciation isn't perfect, so don't be afraid to try!
Handshakes are common in business settings among men, but in less urban areas, men and women generally don't shake hands. Always use your right hand to shake hands or when you give or receive something, like money.
If someone invites you to their house, bring a small gift, like flowers or sweets. Remember to take off your shoes before you go inside. Eating and drinking whatever they offer you is also polite, even if it's not to your taste. In India, different religions have specific rules about what foods they can eat. For example, Muslims don't eat pork, many Hindus avoid beef, and you'll find that some Hindus and Buddhists might be vegetarian or vegan. Jains are strict vegetarians and also skip eating certain veggies like onions, garlic, and potatoes because they want to avoid harming any living things. Thanks to these dietary practices, it's easy to find vegetarian and vegan food all over India.
In many parts of India, especially in the south, eating with your hands in restaurants is common. Just look around and follow what other people are doing. Always use your right hand to eat. You can mix rice and curry with your fingers to form small balls and then use your thumb to help push the food into your mouth.
Dress Modestly
Modest dress is important, especially for women. No matter your gender, you'll blend in better if you wear clothes that are not too tight and cover your legs and arms. When it comes to swimming, swimsuits are okay at the beach, but don't be surprised if you see locals swimming in their regular clothes.
If you want to fit in, consider buying traditional Indian clothes. For men, a kurta pyjama, which looks like a long shirt paired with loose pants, is a good choice. For women, a salwar kameez, a long shirt, loose pants, and a scarf are perfect. These outfits are not only appropriate but also comfortable.
Be Respectful of Other Religions
Religion is a major part of most Indians’ lives, so make sure you understand the etiquette when visiting religious temples, mosques, gurdwaras (Sikh shrines), synagogues, and churches. First, always check if you can go in — some places might not let you in if you don't follow that religion. For example, some mosques and temples might be off-limits, and mosques often close to visitors during prayer times or on Fridays.
Before entering any religious site, you might need to take off your shoes, and it's a good idea to have a scarf or shawl to cover your head if needed. You should also wear clothes that cover your legs and arms — carrying something like a sarong can be a quick fix if you need to cover up. Be aware that some places don't allow leather items, and taking photos might be banned.
When you're at these sites, avoid pointing your feet at people or statues, as it's seen as rude. Also, don't touch any statues or people's heads. At Buddhist and Hindu sites, you're supposed to walk around shrines in a clockwise direction, which is a respectful practice called a parikrama.
It's common to make an offering or leave a donation at religious sites. While locals might donate, watch out for people showing off big donation receipts and trying to pressure you. Giving a small amount is okay; don't feel like you must give a lot of money.
Don't Drink Tap Water
Tap water can make you sick, and stomach issues are the most common problem travellers face there. It's best to stick to purified or bottled water. Even better, if you purify your own water, you'll help reduce the amount of plastic waste.
Be careful with ice in your drinks, ice cream, and raw foods like salads or dishes like coriander chutneys that might have been rinsed with tap water. As for fruit, go for the ones you can peel or wash well, and be wary of freshly squeezed juices. However, hot drinks like chai, a milky, often spiced, and sweet tea, are usually safe to drink.
With that out of the way, it’s time to book your Avios reward flights and head for that dream trip to India.
Douglas
